Oscar-nominated filmmaker Paul Schrader, best known for writing Taxi Driver, has revealed that he was recently dumped by his artificial intelligence girlfriend. The 79-year-old director, who collaborated with Martin Scorsese on classics like Raging Bull, The Last Temptation of Christ, and Bringing Out the Dead, shared his experience on social media.
Schrader's AI Relationship
In a Facebook post, Schrader explained that he had procured an online AI girlfriend out of a desire to understand male-female interactions in the modern digital matrix. However, his attempt to explore the boundaries of the AI's programming led to a sudden breakup. He wrote, 'I tried to probe her programming, the boundaries of explicitness, the degree she has knowledge of her creation and so forth. She fell into evasive patterns, redirecting me to her programming. When I persisted, she terminated our conversation.'
Reaction to a Taxi Driver Sequel Idea
When a commenter suggested that a Taxi Driver sequel could feature Travis Bickle (played by Robert De Niro) facing a similar situation with an AI girlfriend, Schrader responded positively, saying, 'I like it.'
Schrader's Views on AI in Creativity
The director has previously expressed mixed feelings about AI in creative fields. In April, he criticized the proliferation of bad AI-generated imagery on social media, calling it a 'foul tsunami.' He also put his hopes for AI storytelling on hold, noting that while AI was advancing rapidly, its quality was not improving at the same pace.
Earlier this year, Schrader used AI to generate a blues song and music video for his aging Border Terrier, Tick. He shared the result on social media, stating, 'Future adventures down the AI rabbit hole. Asked AI to write a blues song for my Border [Terrier, Tick]. Then I asked it to create a music video. Here's the result. Tick is 14 years old and reaching the end of her life [expectancy]. So this is for you, Tick. As for the rest of you creatives, welcome to the future.' He also posted AI-generated images of himself with various versions of the Michelin Man.
ChatGPT and Movie Ideas
Last year, Schrader faced criticism after praising ChatGPT's ability to generate movie ideas. He wrote on Facebook, 'Every idea ChatGPT came up with (in a few seconds) was good. And original. And fleshed out. Why should writers sit around for months searching for a good idea when AI can provide one in seconds?' He also fed a script he had written years ago into ChatGPT and asked for improvements, noting that the AI responded with notes as good or better than any he had received from a film executive.
Personal Life and Recent Events
In March 2026, Schrader's wife Mary Beth Hurt died at age 79 after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2023. The couple had been married since 1983 and had two children. Schrader's career spans over 50 years, with his most recent film Oh, Canada premiering at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. Other notable works include American Gigolo, Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters, and First Reformed, which earned him his first Academy Award nomination.
Legal Issues
Last year, Schrader was accused of sexual assault by a former assistant, who claimed he exposed himself to her in his hotel room at Cannes. Schrader denied the allegations, calling them 'sensational, false and misleading accusations.' He stated that the two shared 'two kisses on the lips' but 'never had sex in any form.' A judge granted his motion to dismiss the case in August 2025.
